The Westminster City Council Wednesday unanimously approved a plan to clean up and maintain a two-mile portion of Hoover Street, after complaints from residents that the corridor is unkempt and a common dumping site for trash and other waste.
The plan requires Public Works staff to patrol the area twice a day, seven days a week for trash; completely remove overgrown trees and brush that line the street, and prepare a weekly report to the city manager. The police department already has begun increased patrols in the area and, under the plan approved by the city council, also is required to do crime analysis reports.
Although a separate $2.55 million project to turn the neglected Hoover Street corridor into a biking and walking trail is already planned to start in February 2015, the city will begin cleanup and removal of overgrown trees immediately.
Councilwoman Diana Carey expressed concern the plan requires too much staff time, citing police costs for the recently increased patrols.
“Just within that seven day period….the police department racked up 31 hours between patrol, crime analysis and code enforcement,” Carey said. “I do not want to see any overtime allocated to this particular area.”
According to city manager Eddie Manfro, the new plan won’t have any immediate fiscal impact because staff is “reallocating” its time and attention, not working more hours.
The city also hopes to convince Caltrans, the state transportation agency, and the railroad company Union Pacific, which owns land adjacent to the corridor, to help maintain the route.
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